Eye in the sky

[Marlin T]

I thought this was a pretty cool article about the Lancer and the boys that operate it.

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Eye in the sky

by Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs


11/9/2010 - ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNS) -- The last 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer received the necessary modifications to operate the Sniper advanced targeting pod Oct. 18.


The advanced targeting pod acts as a long-range camera, which can pinpoint targets for precision strikes and close-air-support missions.
"It's hard to imagine doing close-air support without it," said Capt. William Louie, the 34th Bomb Squadron weapons systems officer. "The sniper pod and the B-1 go together very well, especially with the expanded mission of the bomber."


Since its combat debut in 2008, the Sniper pod has become an invaluable tool in assisting coalition servicemembers on the ground in hostile areas, Captain Louie said. Its ability to provide a live video feed to ground forces has saved their lives on numerous occasions.


"It's changed the way we fight the war," Captain Louie said. "The Sniper pod is an after-market add-on that allows us to improve our CAS training and operations."


First requested in July 2006, the Sniper pod expanded the B-1's role downrange by enabling weapons systems officers to positively identify targets, self-generate coordinates, provide coalition forces with remote video feeds and employ laser-guided weapons. These capabilities, coupled with the long loiter time of the B-1 and the intense training of its aircrew members, make for an invaluable asset in the current theater of operations.


"The training we go through lessens the pain of the actual first mission," Captain Louie said. "We develop a muscle memory through training that enables us to function perfectly when things heat up and lives are on the line."
With the last B-1 receiving the Sniper pod system, aircrew members are now able to fully incorporate their expanded training plans into all the aircraft of the 28th BW. These plans focus on the diverse role of the B-1 downrange, which may include following ground forces during a mission to provide vital intelligence and support when necessary.


"The more jets we have available to train, the better we are able to hone our deployment skills," the captain said.


Col. William Eldridge, the 28th Operations Group commander, said the addition of the Sniper pod has revitalized and expanded the role of the B-1 to saving lives downrange.


"The B-1's Sniper pod has revolutionized bomber operations," Colonel Eldridge said. "For an aircraft that was developed to deliver nuclear weapons from low altitude to now perform close-air support as a primary mission is mind blowing. The Sniper pod and B-1 combination are saving lives right now in Afghanistan."

[Marlin T]

Did I already say that I love this airplane?



Posted 8/9/2012 The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided standoff missile designed to meet the needs of U.S. warfighters. It shares the same powerful capabilities and stealthy characteristics of the baseline JASSM, but with more than two-and-a-half times the range.

[woolleyworm]

Gotta say that it's one of my favorites too. The lines and sleekness just scream WORST NIGHTMARE ! My absolute favorite is the F-4 Phantom, flying bricks of death.

[BadWool]

My sister works as a computer engineer in the Aerospace industry, and one of the first aircraft she worked on was the Rockwell B-1B. I used to have a nice jacket with the aircraft embroidered on the back, that I ruined one day due to a motorcycle accident......

I also have a numbered and autographed lithograph of this:



Quite the impressive aircraft, yet it gets so little media attention like so many other platforms do.

[jbmid1]

I had the opportunity to see the Sniper pod used on the range by F-15's. They were seemingly able to I.D. individuals on the ground.
I've been told by a source who shall remain nameless that the optics for the sniper system are so precise they are produced in zero-gravity space (space station). Don't know what the production rate is now with the decline of our space program.

[Airdale]

Wooly,

Agree on the F4, not only looking bad ass but it had a very distinctive sound
that was just scarey. It was the one plane I could I D by it's sound.

[Marlin T]

My Cousin flew those F-4s in Nam, what a beautiful plane.
To bad there are not to many left over.